I am a sometimes charming, sometimes pedantic, often courteous,
regularly sarcastic, geeky man. I am mature and responsible about
important things but I really like to be childish about things like
blowing bubbles, playing, and reading comic books
occasionally.

I watch too much TV, read too many books of all sorts and have many
friends who wonder why they don't see me more often. I occasionally
interrupt reading to enjoy playing most games but play poorly, or
to see live music but most of the places I used to go in NYC for
shows have closed while I wasn't looking and I've been to busy to
explore lately.

I am finishing my dissertation, or at least lingering and trying to
finish it. I'm going to be an academic, or I already am an
academic, or I was always already an intellectual and now I'm
getting certified. I really like ideas, and learning new things
from people and books.

I really like people but I can often sound pessimistic or critical.
I like to help people, I like to whittle, I enjoy doodling, I fear
the future but am usually making careful plans for it. I am not
materialistic but keep old letters and keepsakes because I value
them.

I do not agree with OK Cupid that I am more competitive or Indie
than average, and I am certain that I am not more spontaneous than
average, but it is correct that I am lazier and more politically
progressive then average.

I suppose I'm just another guy, but OK Cupid says I'm
compassionate, giving, and independent, and I'd agree and say it's
a fairly good combination.

I feel perpetually in my final year completing my PhD, wishing I
could freak out and run away to raise goats in the mountains, I
won't though, mostly because I know almost nothing about taking
care of goats.

I'm deciding where and what and how to live life after grad school,
and am open to suggestions.

I am really good at knowing a little bit about everything, go ahead
and ask me. I am really good at explaining complex ideas in a way
that makes them clear while also horrifyingly lacking in all the
complexity that I and my fellow academics love, therefore
teaching.

I am also good at cooking a pleasant meal, sympathy and advice,
sitting and chatting outside on a nice day, watching movies and not
commenting or talking until it is over.

I'm really not sure, you'd need to ask them. If i was to guess I'd
say that people notice I smoke, that i wear more black than other
colors (less monochromatic than I used to be), and that I am loud
in argument.

I have trouble picking favorites in general but I'll list a few
things I love

Books written by John Steinbeck, Neil Gaiman, and Christopher Moore
lately. Always: Salinger, Vonegut, King, Tolkien, Heinlein, Huxley,
Foucault. And anything cheesy and fantasy as a break from academic
books.

I'll watch anything really, but I'll mention movies with swords in
them, with dirty jokes in them, or with quirky underdogs winning
the day, also 'The Fifth Element', 'Pump up the volume' and 'the
last unicorn'. Shows I watch regularly are generally comedies,
science fiction or repetitive police shows where criminals are
always caught in the end.

Lately I've been listening mostly to old Jazz and blues as well as
some contemporary root/folk inspired music, but I like anything
really. A few artists I like in no particular order: Louis
Armstrong, Pine Top Perkins, Dexter Gordon, Fleet Foxes,
Decembrists, Neko Case, Metalica, Aerosmith, Dead can Dance, The
Pogues, Tom Waits, Nick cave, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone, Paolo
Conte, Billie Holliday, System of a down, NIN, AC/DC, Metallica,
Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits,

Foods - Fresh Cherries are probably my favorite food, and I really
love fruit in general. Yay for breakfast sandwiches involving Eggs
Cheese and Meat. Also: Spinach Salad, Bad New York Style Pizza,
Good Bagels, Thai Summer rolls, Spicy Tamales de Rajas sold on the
street by a little old lady near my house, Braised lamb with tomato
compote, most varieties of kebab, twizzler, home made cookies, and
basically any cheese.

1 Books or some printed matter to read
2 Consumables including frequent cigarettes
3 At least occasional tasty treats
4 The company of interesting people
5 Ideas, new and old, to play with
6 Moments of accomplishment, utility, participation, silliness, and
excitement

I lately find myself tired at the end of the week and have been
choosing a night in, an enjoyable bad movie, maybe cooking
something excessive for myself for dinner, and lounging around in
pajamas. Occasionally while lounging I miss when I'd be out
partying, one of these days I'll go back to being out partying
occasionally.